A visit to a theme park or a trip to the theatre has become so expensive that
less than one in three children have experienced a family day out in the
last year, according to a survey.

With the school holidays in full swing, children are clamouring to visit leisure parks or see the latest musical.

However in the current economic downturn parents are struggling to find the money to pay for traditional summer outings.

A survey of more than 300 children by the charity 4Children found more than than a third had never been to a theme park or the theatre and 10 per cent had not been on any kind of “family outing” at all in the last 12 months.

Anne Longfield, OBE, Chief Executive of 4Children, blamed the rising cost of child-friendly activities during the current recession.

A one day family ticket to Alton Towers theme park for a family of five costs £126.50 while a one day visit to Legoland for a family of five costs £141.90 A visit to the theatre to watch can cost up to £250.

“With family trips to Legoland and Alton Towers costing over £100, it is no wonder they are out of reach for many parents," she said. "Leisure resorts and theme parks need to provide more deals and vouchers for families who otherwise would not be able to visit. This would go a long way towards reducing the pressure on parents and helping more children to have summer holidays they can remember fondly later in life.”

The findings of the survey raised renewed fears about childhood obesity and lack of interest in nature, because children are spending too much time indoors watching television or playing video games.

Jo Burgon, Head of Access and Recreation at the National Trust, said there are plenty of free activities available to keep children busy.

“It’s sad that so many families have never experienced a day out, particularly when there is so much to do for free on our doorstep," she said.

“More and more people seem to be rediscovering the simple pleasures to be had from picking blackberries on a country lane, fishing for crabs off a pier or flying a kite on the top of a hill.

“The thrills on offer from amusement parks often pale against the lasting memories to be had from spending time with friends and family and enjoying the surroundings of the amazing open space and countryside that’s all around us.”

Vicky Brown, General Manager of Legoland Windsor, said there are a number of offers to make a trip to the leisure park more affordable.

“The Park monitors value for money closely and is confident that it certainly provides that," she said.